Guest Crafter–My Daughter Lucy

In my daughter’s room at the moment is are two lines of the most beautiful rainbow of wool ….. Lucy has set herself a target of crocheting a blanket for her room between finishing university and her job with the council and before taking up her new job with a firm of accountants in Shrewsbury on 1st July …..

She has already put this cushion cover together. I am so jealous, I can knit but can’t crochet to save my life, I have tried to learn so may times but it’s all alien to me! 

I know I should ask her to try and teach me because crochet is sooooo on trend at the moment, and I would really like a crocheted bag  ……. and then perhaps I could start on a project like this ………!!!!!!

http://knithacker.com/2010/01/21/granny-square-rec-room-a-whole-crochetknit-hacked-room/

Fimo Tags

I love the idea of making simple clay tags, and I’ve got a bit bored of doing my usual altered wooden domino ones now, they are “sooooo last year” !!!!   I have found some lovely air dried/baked clay ones on Google when I haven’t been able to  sleep, but wondered just how simple they really are to make ……

So I got out the Fimo I have had at the back of a cupboard for more years than I care to remember, a heart shaped cooker cutter, a old ink roller, and a small docraft “Me to You” sentiment stamp.

OMG, I know this first effort is very basic,  but it was so simple and sooooo satisfying, and think I am about to become seriously addicted ….. I have already ordered some Das, as I prefer the clean cut, white effect and some bakers twine to go with it ….. with Christmas in mind ….. SORRY, I know, I know, but it’s all too exciting!!!!

Tag Party Invitations

A friend asked me about quick easy party invitations, a bit shabby chic, using perhaps a tag and to meet a tight budget …… and these are what I came up with.
I cut a strip of printed card stock 9ins by 3ins and then creased it in the middle

Doubling the invitation up,  I then cut the corners to make the tag shape and punched holes for the ribbon, so they were the same on both sides.  I also suggested that she added the party details on another strip of paper stuck inside the tag, either by hand, which would be easier or on computer which would take a little extra fiddle farting to get it to fit on the paper. All that was needed then was a length of ribbon and a few embellishments if needed ….. nothing to them really.

I did several mock up examples for her, but once she’d got the basic template she could go anywhere with the rest of the design with regards to papers, theme and embellishment.

Birds On A Branch Card

This card measures 4ins x 4ins and is made using a hand cut Kraft card blank

I have had this ‘birds on a branch’ stamp for a couple of years (it came as a set of two costing £2.55 and they are tiny), but like so many of my stamps they have remained unused, until now.

All I have done is stamp the top design onto a scrap of text/printed paper from my Papermania Bookprint pad, mat and layering it on Kraft card and then gold mirror card to edge, simples!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/cArt-Us-Clear-Stamp-BRANCH-stamps/dp/B008CNZQZQ

Memory Box Madeleine Bird Tags

These tags measure approximately 5.75ins x 2.25ins and are made using a hand cut, ribbed effect Kraft card.

I am never sure about making tags to sell (not that I sell anything at the moment), because people tend to like to match their tags up with their wrapping paper.I almost always wrap my presents in plain brown paper, as it’s so easy and versatile to dress up and has that shabby chic look about it and ….. practically, it’s certainly a lot cheaper than gift wrap which you can pay extortionate prices for!  I buy brown paper whenever I see it on BOGOF etc., adding a Kraft tag and some rustic looking string or ribbon is a no brainer.

If I ever found myself with a craft stall I would probably have an example of a parcel already wrapped up to give purchasers an idea of the tags potential, and it wouldn’t hurt to have a few rolls of the paper under the table just in case to sell too!

I’ve kept everything simple, using scraps of patterned paper that are in proportion to the size of the bird, mounting the birds and their wings on self adhesive foam pads for extra dimension.  The branch is made using my Stampin’ Up Bird Punch. A bit of faux stitching and a doodled eye complete the effect. Done and dusted in a matter of minutes and a good way of using up scraps!

Memory Box Madeleine Bird style no. 98424.

Silver Sixpence Wedding Card

This card measures 5ins x 5ins and is made using an ivory, linen effect,  hand cut card blank.

This heart came in one of my parcels from WholePort, I ordered it specifically with this idea in mind http://www.wholeport.com/item/af1_beige-sweet-heart-with-flower-sewing-lace-trim-lace-sew-on-appliques-6-0cm-5-0cm.html

I love the something old, new, borrowed wedding theme and as I have quite a few old sixpences, bought from a coin shop in Wolverhampton,  squirrelled away, my idea was to use the heart as a pocket on a wedding card for a bride.

I decided to sew the heart onto a piece of subtle, vintage patterned, blue paper,  using a little glue round the edges first to stop it from slipping and leaving a gap at the top of the heart to slip the sixpence in.  I then mat and layered on ivory and gold mirror card, again sewing them once in place  My sewing isn’t the straightest,  but I hope it adds to the charm!

Again,  keeping to the “handmade” look, I decided to handwrite the sentiment in the card using my trusty old fountain pen, using lined paper underneath to keep the lines relatively straight …. it only took me three attempts before I was happy, which isn’t too bad!

Finally,  I added a few very small flat backed pearls to finish the effect …. with the sixpence sliding perfectly into the pocket.  Done and dusted!

My “I Can’t Sleep Bracelet”!

Oh my life, this is what happens when I can’t sleep at night …. or perhaps this is what I get up to when I am actually sleep crafting!!!

http://pixiloo.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/wild-woman-bangles.html  Previously, I had been Googling nothing in particular and stumbled across “wild woman bangles”,  which are very, very me…… and now top of my “objects of desire”

http://beimondi-leslie.blogspot.co.uk/2010/04/beadfest-wire-2010.html

…. and if I was in the USA my name would be firmly down for one of Debora Mauser’s classes    http://www.wire-sculpture.com/jewelry-making-blog/8585/debora-mauser-classes/

Because, be honest now,  I don’t have a clue do I?  What do I know about jewellery making?  Diddly squat, that’s what!!!

Talk about going from the sublime to the ridiculous! In my head, at 2 o’clock in the morning,  if I used a Primark bangle as a base and wrapped wire and beads around it , it would come out looking like a wild woman bracelet!!!

All I can say is …. no more cheese at bedtime for me, and perhaps I should invest in a packet of Nytol!  But,  would I wear it …… yes, probably, I’ll let you know when!

Mr and Mrs Wedding Badge Card

This card measures 7ins x 3.5ins and is made using a white linen effect, hand cut card blank

Hands up, this is not my idea …. I saw something similar while Googling for inspiration and thought I could do my own take on it using my trusty Bandai Badge Maker.

First,  I had to find a suitable font and decided that I liked this one best http://www.dafont.com/jf-ringmaster.font

Sizing the wording up and centring it for the badges was a bit of trial and error but in the end font size 26.5 was perfect for the “Mr” and “Mrs” and size 55 for the “&”.

The rest was simple, just a little mat and layering on black card and four faceted, flat backed gems in the corners. Bring on the confetti!

New Home Card

This card measures 11cm x 15cm and is made using a white linen effect,  hand cut blank.

Hmmmm,  very less is more today.  I have had these laser cut house buttons forever and decided it was about time they were used!

So I took a few scraps of paper,  making a template for the hill, so that when I want to make a few more repeat cards it will make the process quicker.

And then ……. saints preserve us, I decided to get out my old sewing machine to do real and not my usual faux stitching round the edges!!

Ok ……………. so my stitching is a bit wobbly ….. but then,  I would say it was a deliberate move to add a the simple shabby chic charm wouldn’t I???

Guest Crafter ….. The Equally Lovely Denise

When Tom and the Lovely Laura visited their wedding hotel The Lovely Laura were very taken by the bunting that had been put up in the courtyard for the wedding that was taking place …… and as I had just been given a mountain of Sanderson fabric samples it was a no brainer as to how to use it …….

Initially I gave the Lovely Laura’s mum, the Equally Lovely Denise the fabric to cut out the pennants in preparation for another of our “Wedding Club Crafting Nights”, but as the mess accumulated in her lounge, Denise decided that instead of spreading the mess chez moi,  she might as well bite the bullet and complete the task herself  …… all 300 double sided yards of it …. oh my life!  The Lovely Laura had declared that her mum has finally lost the plot …… but it’s gorgeous and I am secretly very, very pleased because sewing is not really my forte, the very thought of it makes my gums itch! It’s going to look so beautiful and I can’t wait to share all the pictures with all of you when the happy day finally comes!

Guest Crafter–Maisie

The other day I received a vey special “Thank you” card for some bits and pieces I sent Maisie,  who you will remember was the creator of the beautiful embellished pink mirror I featured a couple of weeks ago ….

And once again I feel I need to up my stakes as a crafter ….. this girl is just too good for my liking!!!

And I certainly think Gran should turn young Maisie’s writing into a proper font, so I can have a copy!

http://www.myscriptfont.com/

Memory Box–Madeleine Bird Card

This card measures 4ins x 4ins and is made using an hand cut ivory linen card blank.

Can I say I love this card?  There is nothing much to it really, I think it is just the colours ….. put together using scraps of paper with patterns that match the dimensions of the bird. To add a little depth I have used self adhesive foam pads behind the birds body and wing.

I’ve used my Stampin Up Bird punch for the branch and a tiny daisy Papermania punch for the flowers, embellished with a few clear flat backed gems and a bit of faux stitching.  Done and dusted!

Memory Box Madeleine Bird, Style No. 98424

It Comes To Him That Waits ……

Do you remember the retro mirror I spotted in a local charity shop window but baulked at the price tag of £10, back at the beginning of March?

Well,  I went back all these months later and it was still there, on the floor, in the corner,  under a pile of plates …………… but this time marked down to £5, how often does that happen in a charity shop …..?

Well,  I was at the counter before you could shabby chic!  I don’t have a clue what to do with it …. but I am going to take Marc’s advice and just hang it in situ for a while and see what comes to me …… to be honest, all it really needs is a bit of a rub down and then just needs a couple of coats of spray paint, but a more “on trend” colour and leave it at that ….. why over egg the pudding of a design I just love?

Little Wish Bottles.

I made these little wish bottles for the GCSE Food girls at school.  Every week for the past two years they have been cooking the most delicious food which they asked me to help evaluate …. it was a hard job …. but someone had to do it!!!

I wanted to give them a little something to say “thank you” and to bring them good luck for their exams in the coming weeks.  The bottles came from The Works and cost 99p for a pack of 6, all I added were a few stars and a tiny piece of paper on which I wrote “wish”

How Happy Does Maisie Look?

Marc sent Maisie, my guest crafter of a few days ago a mahoooosive collection of flat back gems ……. 100’s and 1,000’s of them!!

Just look at her little face!

And then bless her, she sorted them all out into colour and sizes, a job that would have sent me absolutely bonkers!!

I am a great believer of giving children things to create and make things with ….. not just great piles of computer games and dvds and toys that need batteries, they don’t have to be anything expensive …. just a few pens, paper or card, glue, scissors, old magazines and material and interesting bits and pieces.  When my kids were small … when the weather was warm I used to unravel a roll of wallpaper in the garden and give them pots of paints,  not caring less if they covered themselves as well as the paper ….. they were absorbed for hours and hours!

They always had a dressing up box too, but not filled with ready made character outfits, I used to give them a bag of pennies and we would go to the Thursday night jumble sales across the road at the church hall where they would buy the clothes and anything else that caught their imagination ….. Happy days!!!

Brides Keepsake…… Jewelled Lucky Horse Shoe/Heart

Please excuse the glue globs on some of the photographs, it was still wet in my eagerness to get this post written.
I don’t have a clue what to call this ….. when I had the idea I was thinking about the lucky horse shoes you give to a bride outside the church/registry office …. but heart shaped!  If that makes any sense at all?????

I saw this string of vintage decorative hearts in Home Bargains for £2.99 and knew immediately what I wanted to do with them, and as there were four hearts altogether, it was a no brainer, as you just can’t even buy one wooden heart of such quality from craft establishments for that price!

I decided to use one of the small hearts, which measured approximately 5.5ins x 5ins for this project and then raided my cupboards for a whole variety of embellishments including paper flowers, cabochons that I had been sent from WholePort, fabric and crocheted flowers, plus flat backed gems and flowers and pearls …. you name it, I used it  as my desk proves!

Like my jewelled mirrors I built  up the design, adding gems to the fabric flowers and filling all the gaps with small pearl beads.

I think it is all the fiddle fart, very sticky building up and filling gaps are what makes all the difference when looking at the finished heart. I used a narrow cream ribbon to hold it by, threading it through the existing hole at the top, with the bottom hole being easily covered up by all the embellishments.

I now really want to make a couple of horseshoes for summer weddings, which I think could go down a storm at work.  Marc gave me one when I last went to see him ….. now if only I could find it amongst all my bits and pieces …. I can see it in my minds eye, I just cannot remember where I squirrelled it safely away,  DOH!!